Our Doctors

Dr. Hatfield grew up in the small town of Gilbert, located in the coal fields of southern West Virginia. She graduated from Marshall University and earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN. Dr. Hatfield practiced in several different states and practice until 2013 when she founded her practice, Tradewinds Optometric Group, in Mooresville, North Carolina. Dr. Hatfield is active in the community and is a member of the North Carolina State Optometric Society and the American Optometric Association. She resides in Davidson with her husband, their son Alexander, and their Siberian husky, Aspen. She is an avid fan of Marshall University sports and the Carolina Panthers!

Undergraduate Education: University of Arizona; Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. Optometry School: Southern College of Optometry; 2015. Professional Achievements and Associations: American Optometric Association; Georgia Optometric Association. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Residency trained in Ocular Disease. The reason I became an optometrist is: The feeling I got when I got my first pair of glasses in 2nd grade was unlike any other. That feeling got stronger when I started wearing contact lenses in high school, and the more and more I researched a career as an optometrist the more I realized what a good fit it was for me. My favorite part of helping my patients is: I love helping people see their best, and I take pride in customizing my patients’ vision to meet their needs, whatever that may be. In my spare time, I enjoy: Spending time with my wife and daughters. Swimming biking running!"

Kaitlin Hawkins currently works at the Chatswoth, GA myeyeDr location alongside her husband. Originally from South Carolina, she has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Coastal Carolina University. She graduated from Southern College of Optometry in 2015 and then went on to complete an ocular disease residency at the Huntington WV, VAMC. She is a member of the American Optometric Association and Georgia Optometric Association. She provides comprehensive eye care to adults and children including diabetic exams, contact lens fittings, assessments of binocular visual dysfunctions, and ocular disease management. She loves helping people in her community see well in order to live their best lives. In her spare time she enjoys playing with her kids, hiking, triathlons, and reading.

Undergraduate Education: Howard University, BS; Optometry School: Salus University- Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Professional Achievements and Associations: Graduated with Honors- Cum Laude, Member of American Optometric Association; Member of Pennsylvania Optometric Association, Member of National Optometric Association. My favorite part of being an optometrist: I love educating my patients on proper eye care in order to live their best lives and see the world clearly. I look forward to seeing my patient’s year after year and creating a trusting relationship with them and their families. In my spare time, I enjoy: trying new restaurants, taking trips around the world, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Undergraduate Education: Virginia Tech - B.S, Biology. Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry / Salus University - B.S. O.D. Professional Achievements and Associations: Maryland Optometric Association; American Optometric Association; Lions Club International; American Academy of Orthokeratology; Scleral Lens Society. The reason I became an optometrist is: to provide care to others in a relaxed and non-stressful environment. My favorite part of helping my patients is: solving visual needs or eye health issues that is individualized for each patient's unique lifestyles. In my spare time, I enjoy: reading, hiking, biking and traveling with a personal goal to visit every U.S. National Park.

Undergraduate Education: University of Connecticut. Optometry School: Pacific University College of Optometry. Certifications/Awards: Member of the American Optometric Association, Texas Optometric Association. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? Volunteering at the local church and food bank. Lions Club member. Participating in vision clinics in underserved countries. I’m thorough and address each concern my patients have, making my best recommendations to support their best vision. Hobbies/Interests: RV travelling, hiking, kayaking

Undergraduate Education: The Ohio State University. Optometry School: Ohio State University College of Optometry. Professional Achievements/Associations: AOA, American Academy of Optometry, President Florida Chapter of American Academy. Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Family Practice Resident at University of Alabama in Birmingham. What drives your passion for optometry? Opportunity to impact people’s lives by helping them see better. How are you helping patients live their best lives? Helping people to solve vision problems. How are you impacting your local community? DeLand Breakfast Rotary Club Senior Active. Hobbies/Interests: Glamping, hiking, and fishing. Spending time with two grandchildren.

Undergraduate Education: Augustana College. Optometry School: Illinois College of Optometry. Professional Achievements/Associations: IOA, AOA. What drives your passion for optometry? Helping and educating patients. How are you helping patients live their best lives? I strive to help patients achieve their best vision possible so they can enjoy doing what they love. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? Meeting the needs of the patient. Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with my family, hiking, camping.

Dr. Hecker, a proud graduate of Oklahoma State University, furthered his education at Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry. His dedication to clinical excellence is evident in his completion of an Ocular Disease and Primary Care residency at the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center and his attainment of Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry. He holds advanced certifications in anterior segment laser procedures and optometric surgical techniques from Northeastern State University College of Optometry. Outside of his professional pursuits, Dr. Hecker enjoys staying active through basketball and football, is an avid reader, and treasures quality time with his family, especially with his two young daughters.

Dr. Hehar earned her undergraduate degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, before pursuing her Doctor of Optometry at The Michigan College of Optometry. She then completed a residency in ocular disease at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VAMC. Currently, Dr. Hehar serves as an Associate Professor at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, where she works closely with students at The Eye Institute. She has a strong passion for ocular disease, with a particular interest in glaucoma. Outside of her professional life, Dr. Hehar enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends. She is thrilled to join the MyEyeDr. family and remains deeply committed to providing exceptional care for her patients.

Undergraduate Education: Shawnee State University. Optometry School: The Ohio State University College of Optometry, 1995. Professional Achievements/Associations: Member American Optometric Association, Ohio Optometric Association. What drives your passion for optometry? A desire to help people see and develop a trusting provider-patient relationship. How are you helping patients live their best lives? By partnering with patients to help them achieve their best possible vision with stylish eyewear and comfortable contact lenses. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? We want to serve the patients in our community by providing the best vision care. We desire to treat each patient with kindness and respect and want patients to feel confident in placing their trust in us as their eye care provider. How are you impacting your local community? We support local groups and organizations through various sponsorships, active member of Logan Elm Baptist Church, serve on the school board at New Hope Christian Academy. Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Yoga, spending time with family and friends

Undergraduate Education: Grove City College - B.S. – Biology. Optometry School: The Ohio State University College of Optometry 1994; Cornea and Contact Lens Residency with combined master’s degree 1996. Professional Achievements/Associations: Master’s Degree in Physiological Optics (1996) The Ohio State University Graduate School; Member American Optometric Association, Ohio Optometric Association. Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Contact lenses. What drives your passion for optometry? A desire to help people and develop doctor patient relationships. How are you helping patients live their best lives? By providing patients with the best vision possible and helping them to maintain both their eye health as well as overall health through comprehensive eye exams. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? A transformational eyecare experience includes not only providing great visual outcomes and stylish frames but utilizing technology to educate patients on how the eyes can help reveal information on their general health as well. How are you impacting your local community? We support local groups through various sponsorships, active members of our church Logan Elm Baptist, serve as Athletics Booster President for New Hope Christian Academy in Circleville. Hobbies/Interests: Running and working out

Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Taylor University. Optometry School: Indiana University School of Optometry, Graduation Year – 2015. Professional Achievements/Associations: American Optometric Association, Indiana Optometric Association. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Primary care Optometry. I also have interest in contact lenses and diabetic eye disease. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? I want my patients to be able to enjoy a quality of life and take part of their various hobbies and interests; I think that starts with preventive medicine and quality eye care. By providing comprehensive eye exams, I can provide solutions to help all ages to achieve clear vision and good visual outcomes. Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with my family, grilling, IU basketball, reading, building LEGO

Undergraduate Education: Michigan State University. Optometry School: Michigan College of Optometry. Professional Achievements/Associations: West Michigan Optometric Association, AOA, MOA. Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Optometrist, Contacts. What drives your passion for optometry? I enjoy helping people maximize their vision for different activities. As well as monitoring their ocular health. How are you helping patients live their best lives? By providing visual options that help maximize their vision. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? I hope to offer options and solutions that will improve the patient's vision demands so that they can function at their best. How are you impacting your local community? Providing a service that improves people’s lives by offering the best vision care I can. Hobbies/Interests: Boating, gardening, fishing.

Matthew D. Helsing, O.D. is a full scope optometric physician trained in all areas of glaucoma, pediatric, geriatric, low vision, therapeutic eye care and he specializes in contact lens care. Dr. Helsing is a native of Tampa. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration at the University of Florida. He then completed his Biomedical Science requirements at the University of South Florida. He went to Nova Southeastern University to complete his O.D. in Optometry. Dr. Helsing completed his internship at Bay Pines V.A. and Aker-Kasten Eye Center in Boca Raton, Florida. Dr. Helsing's professional memberships include the American Optometric Society, Florida Optometric Association, Hillsborough Society of Optometry and National Optometric Practice Management Association. Dr. Helsing lives in Tampa with his wife, Jennifer. During his free time, he enjoys golfing, fishing and camping.

Undergraduate Education: University of Guelph, Bachelor of Science. Optometry School: Illinois College of Optometry, class of 2016. Professional Achievements and Associations: Member of Illinois Optometric Association. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Primary Eye Care, Diabetic Exams. The reason I became an optometrist is: I wanted to become an optometrist from an early age because my optometrist sparked my interest in optometry. I also find the eye to be a fascinating part of our human body that I wanted to know more about. My favorite part of helping my patients is: It’s amazing knowing that we can impact a patient’s life not just by prescribing glasses and/or contact lenses that allows them to see, but also be able to diagnose ocular conditions and detect early signs of certain systemic conditions. I also enjoy making a personal connection with my patients as well. In my spare time, I enjoy: Going for walks and the movies with my husband, spending time with my family and friends, working out, reading, and traveling.

Undergraduate Education: Colby College; Bachelor of Arts in Biology. Optometry School: The New England College of Optometry, 2006. Professional Achievements and Associations: VOA, AOA. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Specialty Contact Lenses. The reason I became an optometrist is: To preserve our window to the world. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Immediately improving their quality of life. In my spare time, I enjoy: Hiking the AT; Fishing; Being a Dad.